THE RUTS As the man on the microphone called “297,” I pushed my bike down the line and picked out a gate. This was my gate pick for the start of my first motocross race. I have always wanted to race. My dad was a semi-pro, an A class racer, back in his early years. I told myself I could do the same. I had a goal. When the red light came on—start your bikes—I looked at bikes on either side of me. Forty bikes were lined up on the gate—all racing into one 180-degree corner. Then I looked back up at the light and it had turned yellow—time to shift into gear. I could hear my heart pounding, and I felt sick. I was so nervous. Finally the light was green, and I had one to three seconds until my life would change. At that moment, my mind silenced the revving of the bikes, and my eyes focused on the first corner. I was ready to race. Then it happened. The gate dropped. I let the clutch out and moved off the gate, racing side by side with the others toward the corner with room for only one racer. As I moved closer and closer to the corner, I began to see the ruts in the dirt. As I kept my eye on the inside rut, it seemed as if I got pushed back a little in the pack. I was so focused; all I could think about was getting to the front. Then, something I will always remember happened. I fell. The bikes that were racing into the corner behind me didn’t stop; they kept racing. I was in the worst place a motocross racer could be—down in the first corner. My dad had always told me, “Keep your elbows up and block.” At that moment I realized why you keep your elbows up! After every bike had managed to run me over, I was helped to the side of the track. My body ached and I didn’t want to get back on and ride. As I picked myself up and got on my feet, I figured nothing is going to be easy, but this is what I wanted to do. I started my bike and slowly got back on the track. I finished dead last. I told myself I would never do that again. Before my next race, I would practice during the week, run in the mornings, and take advice from fellow racers. I would be prepared for the next race. From my racing experience, I learned if you want to succeed in anything in life it takes practice, skill, dedication, and most importantly, effort. Falling in that race seemed to be the worst. I got last place, I was in pain, and I was embarrassed. But falling in that race was the best thing that could have happened to me. It changed my life. When I look at something for the first time, I think about how much time, practice, and dedication it will take. Then I put together a plan to succeed. I have learned that sometimes you have to fail to succeed. Falling in the first corner of my first race made me fail, but now I am able to succeed.
TEXT FOR USE WITH LESSON 17. Copy and Paste this file to your file.
Insert a name header and add filename 17.1 Newsletter.
BENEFITS OF OWNING A PET
People love their pets. Pets are loyal and nonjudgmental, and they make us feel safe, accepted, and happy. Their devotion, unconditional love, and companionship boost our mental and physical health. It has been proven that pets help relieve stress. Pet owners tend to be more physically active. For example, walking a dog provides exercise, fresh air, and social interaction. Pets can be a very rewarding experience for children; and when caring for a pet, children can learn responsibility and accountability. Dogs and cats are the most popular pet, but there are other options including gerbils, hamsters, bunnies, parakeets, and many more. If you are not an animal lover, fish are good alternatives. Watching fish in an aquarium can lower your blood pressure.
GARDENING IS A WORKOUT
Gardening tasks provide moderate to strenuous forms of exercise. Some gardening tasks, such as reaching for weeds, bending to plant, and extending a rake involve low impact exercise that require strength or stretching. Carrying bags of mulch, pushing wheelbarrows, and shoveling dirt provide high-impact exercise that builds strength and burns calories. Gardening can ease stress and improve your mood, but an even better reward from the workout is the harvest. The fruits and vegetables you grow yourself are the freshest and healthiest food you can eat.
HIRING AND BIKING ADVENTURES
Are you looking for some rest and relaxation? Do you have a love for the outdoors? Consider hiking and biking adventures for your next vacation. Each year vacationers enjoy mountain treks in the wilderness, bike trips on nearly forgotten roads, and leisurely walks in beautiful woodlands. Relaxing walks, physically challenging hikes, and scenic bike tours offer an exciting blend of adventure and relaxation; and they are all good for your health, your fitness, and your spirit.
As the man on the microphone called “297,” I pushed my bike down the line and picked out a gate. This was my gate pick for the start of my first motocross race. I have always wanted to race. My dad was a semi-pro, an A class racer, back in his early years. I told myself I could do the same. I had a goal. When the red light came on—start your bikes—I looked at bikes on either side of me. Forty bikes were lined up on the gate—all racing into one 180-degree corner. Then I looked back up at the light and it had turned yellow—time to shift into gear. I could hear my heart pounding, and I felt sick. I was so nervous. Finally the light was green, and I had one to three seconds until my life would change. At that moment, my mind silenced the revving of the bikes, and my eyes focused on the first corner. I was ready to race. Then it happened. The gate dropped. I let the clutch out and moved off the gate, racing side by side with the others toward the corner with room for only one racer.
As I moved closer and closer to the corner, I began to see the ruts in the dirt. As I kept my eye on the inside rut, it seemed as if I got pushed back a little in the pack. I was so focused; all I could think about was getting to the front. Then, something I will always remember happened. I fell.
The bikes that were racing into the corner behind me didn’t stop; they kept racing. I was in the worst place a motocross racer could be—down in the first corner. My dad had always told me, “Keep your elbows up and block.” At that moment I realized why you keep your elbows up!
After every bike had managed to run me over, I was helped to the side of the track. My body ached and I didn’t want to get back on and ride. As I picked myself up and got on my feet, I figured nothing is going to be easy, but this is what I wanted to do. I started my bike and slowly got back on the track. I finished dead last.
I told myself I would never do that again. Before my next race, I would practice during the week, run in the mornings, and take advice from fellow racers. I would be prepared for the next race.
From my racing experience, I learned if you want to succeed in anything in life it takes practice, skill, dedication, and most importantly, effort. Falling in that race seemed to be the worst. I got last place, I was in pain, and I was embarrassed. But falling in that race was the best thing that could have happened to me. It changed my life. When I look at something for the first time, I think about how much time, practice, and dedication it will take. Then I put together a plan to succeed. I have learned that sometimes you have to fail to succeed. Falling in the first corner of my first race made me fail, but now I am able to succeed.
TEXT FOR USE WITH LESSON 17. Copy and Paste this file to your file.
Insert a name header and add filename 17.1 Newsletter.
BENEFITS OF OWNING A PET
People love their pets. Pets are loyal and nonjudgmental, and they make us feel safe, accepted, and happy. Their devotion, unconditional love, and companionship boost our mental and physical health. It has been proven that pets help relieve stress. Pet owners tend to be more physically active. For example, walking a dog provides exercise, fresh air, and social interaction. Pets can be a very rewarding experience for children; and when caring for a pet, children can learn responsibility and accountability. Dogs and cats are the most popular pet, but there are other options including gerbils, hamsters, bunnies, parakeets, and many more. If you are not an animal lover, fish are good alternatives. Watching fish in an aquarium can lower your blood pressure.
GARDENING IS A WORKOUT
Gardening tasks provide moderate to strenuous forms of exercise. Some gardening tasks, such as reaching for weeds, bending to plant, and extending a rake involve low impact exercise that require strength or stretching. Carrying bags of mulch, pushing wheelbarrows, and shoveling dirt provide high-impact exercise that builds strength and burns calories. Gardening can ease stress and improve your mood, but an even better reward from the workout is the harvest. The fruits and vegetables you grow yourself are the freshest and healthiest food you can eat.
HIRING AND BIKING ADVENTURES
Are you looking for some rest and relaxation? Do you have a love for the outdoors? Consider hiking and biking adventures for your next vacation. Each year vacationers enjoy mountain treks in the wilderness, bike trips on nearly forgotten roads, and leisurely walks in beautiful woodlands. Relaxing walks, physically challenging hikes, and scenic bike tours offer an exciting blend of adventure and relaxation; and they are all good for your health, your fitness, and your spirit.